Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - Box needed?

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DickL
11-20-07, 04:41 PM
I am replacing a wall-mounted light fixture in a half-bathroom. The old fixture had the wiring running from a hole in the wall and the connections were made inside the fixture. It would be possible to do the same with the new fixture, but it states that I have to install a junction box first and make the connections inside there.

Problem is, there are a number of wires running through the wall in the general area where I'd be cutting the sheetrock to insert the box. Is there any real safety reason why I cannot simply connect the existing wires directly to the fixture instead of having them inside a newly-installed box?

chandltp
11-20-07, 04:53 PM
I think a box cuts down on the potential for fire by containing an sparks that might occur.
Rick Johnston
11-20-07, 05:03 PM
What held the old fixture? Two screws? Seems to me that the box may already be in the wall.

racraft
11-20-07, 05:05 PM
Some fixtures have a built in box, others do not. You need a box if the directions state you need one.
HotRod53F100
11-20-07, 07:02 PM
They make real easy install boxes that have wings on them for drywall, they swing out when you tighten the screws making it real easy. Chandltp is correct, a box is intended to contain a flame if there is a short plus it provided strain relief to keep something from yanking the wires out. I believe that it's required by code almost everywhere. Mounting a switch to the drywall isn't the way to go, installing one is easy.